How to write to a HTML file a string containing < and > with command echo?

Question

I am using batch file to write to a file, and want to not add the same thing if it already being added. I have tried this which has worked.

find "jackdows loves me" %appdata%\data.html || echo jackdows loves me >>%appdata%\data.html

However, I can't make this one work as there are special chars:

find "<!-- saved from url=(0017)http://localhost/ -->" %appdata%\data.html || echo <!--  saved from url=(0017)http://localhost/ --> >>%appdata%\data.html

What is the correct way to do that?

I notice that the strings for find and echo are not equal (one vs. two spaces before the word "saved") Might it be, that you search for the wrong string (or is it just a typing error)? Besides that, @DavidHoelzer's answer is correct. — Stephan
– Stephan, Commented Oct 26, 2014 at 8:29

David Hoelzer · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-26 03:13:00Z

4

To escape < and > in anything in the NT line of OSs, use the caret:

echo ^< > test.out

answered Oct 26, 2014 at 3:13

David Hoelzer

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7 Comments

David Hoelzer Over a year ago

Correct. :) That's all there is to it.

user198989 Over a year ago

it works, but it always adds the data, doesnt look if its already added or not. Here is a line I used for find "^<!-- saved from url=(0017)localhost --^>" %appdata%\data.html || echo ^<!-- saved from url=(0017)localhost --^>>>%appdata%\data.html

David Hoelzer Over a year ago

I've never tried it but I was surprised that || worked in that way in a Batch script at all, but I assumed you were correct because you claimed it functioned in another context... I don't know what to tell you about that.. I would have approached this with an if ERRORLEVEL check, but the caret solved the question that you asked. :)

David Hoelzer Over a year ago

Well, certainly.. but I meant that I would have run the find and then done an IF ERRORLEVEL 1 ECHO... You may want to double check, but my memory says that if FIND doesn't find what you search for it sets ERRORLEVEL to 1. Makes the logic two lines but, as I said, I don't remember being able to do an DO A || DO B in a Batch script. :)

Stephan Over a year ago

@DavidHoelzer: || works as "if previous command failed, then". && works as "if previous command was successful, then".

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